Where to give birth in West London

Hiya - just wanting some recs re: where to give birth. My local hospital is Queen Charlotte's but after good friends had really (really) awful experiences there I'm petrified of it and won't be going. So it's between Chelsea and Westminster (which won't have an A&E or maternity unit if the govt gets its way) or UCL hospital.

I am now 23+4 and have been with Chelsea & Westminster for my antenatal care. I have to say that I have found them to be fab. so far. All appointments went smoothly, lovely clean hospital and helpful midwives and consultants. Cannot comment on birth experience there but I went there based on the recommendations of friends, colleagues and MumsNetters. No experience of UCL but had also heard some horror stories re. Queen Charlottes.

Just to counter what your friend said, I had a very, very good birth experience at Queen Charlottes when I had DS. I am disappointed not to be going there for DC2 early next year (too far away/ inconvenient). I had less good ante-natal care at QC due to having a very straightforward pregnancy and they have a lot of difficult cases referred there, so less time spent on me and looooong waits. That was the case until I transferred ante natal check ups to the midwife led unit at 32 weeks, and then it was like going private.

This time I'm at UCH and finding it fine so far. Lots of my friends had DC1 there and had decent experiences. No experience of St Mary's, except many negative tales from friends about the post natal wards being utter chaos, but then, maybe you know this already!?

I say this because every birth experience is different. If all your friends had a terrible experience at QC's then fair enough, but read the stats etc too and visit the units, if you can.

I too went to Queen Charlottes and was very happy with my care - yes, there are waits (I think the longest was an hour an half at the ante-natal clinic) - but the ante-natal course was very good and thorough, any concern i had was taken seriously and if there was any doubt at all left in my mind they offered to scan. I found them to be reassuring and patient, ready to answer any question i had. My labour care was phenomenal - I had a very difficult labour that resulted in an emcs and unfortunately a stay on HDU whilst having transfusions before staying on postnatal for 5 days. I saw a fair bit of the hospital in the end and was very impressed with my care. The midwife led centre is fantastic, lots of pools for you to use, lots of support and lovely, professional, caring midwives on both MLCentre and labour ward. I thoroughly recommend and will be going back for my second!

I gave birth at the birth centre at St Marys - was brilliant. Never went anywhere near the post natal ward - though as far as I'm concerned all postnatal wards are pretty rubbish (had awful time at the royal free in post natal ward including being moved)....

Sorry Olimoss - I rather wished someone had warned me before how chaotic post natal wards are. Everyone I have spoken to who has given birth on the NHS and been on a postnatal ward (and wasnt lucky enough to score a side room) has said they were quite shocked by how cahotic they were. St Marys really is great though.

If you go to the birth centre (and have no complications) you dont have to go to the postnatal ward at all (and the best thing is your partner can spend the night with you too). Is like having a private room and v lovely.